Proton-transfer-reaction time-of-flight mass spectrometry (PTR-TOF-MS) as a tool for studying animal volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions

1. Chemical sensing in vertebrates is crucial in their lives, and efforts are undertaken towards deciphering their chemical language. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is a group of chemicals believed to play an essential role in a wide variety of animal interactions. Therefore, understanding what animals sense themselves and untangling the ecological role of their volatile cues can be accomplished by analysing VOC emissions. A Proton-Transfer Reaction Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometer (PTR-TOF-MS) is an instrument that measures VOCs in real-time in an air sample. Since this technique acts as a hyper-sensitive ‘nose’ it has a similar potential in deciphering the chemical language of vertebrates.

2. Here, we validate the use of PTR-TOF-MS as a tool to measure VOCs from vertebrates, which in turn will help resolve vertebrate interactions through VOCs. The instrument monitors and records the full spectrum of VOCs emitted by an individual with a high accuracy and low detection limit, incl...

1. 脊椎动物的化学感知在其生命活动中至关重要，学界长期致力于解析其化学通讯语言。挥发性有机化合物（Volatile Organic Compounds, VOCs）是一类被认为在多种动物交互行为中发挥核心作用的化学物质。因此，通过分析挥发性有机化合物的排放，我们既可明确动物自身感知的化学信号，亦可厘清其挥发性信号的生态功能。质子转移反应飞行时间质谱仪（Proton-Transfer Reaction Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometer, PTR-TOF-MS）是一种可实时测定空气样本中挥发性有机化合物的仪器。由于该技术如同一台超灵敏的"电子鼻"，在解析脊椎动物化学通讯语言方面具备巨大的应用潜力。
2. 本研究验证了质子转移反应飞行时间质谱仪作为脊椎动物挥发性有机化合物检测工具的可行性，其成果将助力通过挥发性有机化合物解析脊椎动物间的交互行为。该仪器可高精度、低检出限地监测并记录单个个体释放的全部挥发性有机化合物谱图，其应用范围涵盖……